Category Archives: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

This is another in a series of posts on semi-presidentialism in areas other than internationally recognised states. The focus is on areas with, or that have had, full constitutions, but ones that are not recognised as independent states. They may be territories that have declared independence but whose status has not been internationally recognised, or they may simply be self-governing units within or under the protection of another state.

The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) declared its sovereignty on 27 September 1990. In December 1991 the first direct presidential election was held and Mikhail Nikolaev was elected winning over 76% of the vote. In December 1996 he was re-elected winning over 60% of the vote. In January 2002 Vyacheslav Shtyrov was elected with 59% of the vote in circumstances that highlighted the tensions between Putin and the Russian federal system.

The Constitution was adopted in April 1992. It was amended in 2008. In the meantime, the direct election of the president had been abolished. However, for a period of time the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) had a semi-presidential constitution.

Art. 67 stated that the president is directly elected.

Art. 83 made mention of a prime minister in the context of the government.

Art. 58 stated that the Supreme Soviet gives consent to the nomination by the president of the prime minister and the members of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Art. 82 stated that a vote of no-confidence in the Supreme Soviet shall entail the dismissal of the Cabinet of Ministers.

There is an article on the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in Europe-Asia Studies vol. 48, no. 1, 1996.